Slatedroid info

Not too long ago, an unlock tool was released for some Motorola devices that used Qualcomm processors. Well, it turns out that unlocking hack still works on newer Qualcomm devices, including the variant of the Galaxy S 4 with the Snapdragon 600 chip.  So if you’re planning on picking up a new Galaxy S 4 this weekend, you won’t have to wait for a root method.

The downside is that there are no stock images or custom recoveries available for the device yet, so if you brick the device in the root process, you’re completely out of luck. OTA updates will also likely mess up root. Fortunately, it’s a pretty safe bet that this is going to be a popular device, so it shouldn’t take long before some recoveries and ROMs start popping up. Until then, though, root at your own risk.

The method is the same as it was for the Motorola unlocking. You’ll need to download the package at the XDA link then follow these instructions.

1. Extract the entire contents of the zip file.
2. If you are using Windows, ensure you have installed the latest Motorola USB drivers available for your phone.
3. Ensure your device has been rooted and you have a working installation of “su”.
4. Ensure USB Debugging mode is enabled on your device.
5. If you are using Windows, navigate to the extracted directory and execute “run.bat”. If you are using Linux or OS X, navigate to the extracted directory in a terminal and execute “./run.sh”.

source: XDA

Come comment on this article: Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S 4 rooted on launch day

ES File Explorer has been on my phone for a long time. I love using it to manipulate and move files to and from various folders and the like. My only complaint was that the UI seemed a bit outdated and didn’t fit with the Holo style that the later versions of Android brought to the table. The devs must have read my mind though because they posted a test build of the newest version of the file manager sporting a new Holo-style theme. While it is marked for testing purposes, the app appears to be pretty solid. I have yet to see a hiccup in the short time that I’ve used it.

For those that are interested in tinkering with the app, you can download it or read up on it from the source link below. I’ve included a gallery past the break so that you can see the new UI in action. It should hit the Play Store sometime soon barring any major bugs. As far as I can tell though, it’s pretty close to a final product.

source: XDA

Come comment on this article: ES File Explorer Hits Build 3, Now Available for Testing Over at XDA

While the Samsung GALAXY S 4 flagship smartphone is up for pre-order in a few select markets, it’s still not available to the public. However, that hasn’t stopped those awesome developers at XDA from already rooting the device. It appears that the GALAXY S 4 has already been rooted, but this is only for the Exynos 5 Octa 8-core version.

According to reports by AndroidAuthority the Galaxy S 4 has been rooted before release, or at least a system and guide for rooting, and once it hits shelves users will be able to root their own smartphones. As stated above, this is only for the Exynos 5 Octa model, and not for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 version.

Most markets in the UK and USA will be getting a quad-core Snapdragon 600 series GALAXY S 4, while other regions will be getting Samsung’s 8-core CPU. For those with the 8-core model, this should work, but for all other regions we’ll have to wait for an additional exploit to root the US flavor of the GALAXY S 4.

As usual, you’ll want to proceed with this type of activity at your own risk. Once you get the smartphone in your hands of course. We’ll be sure and update once we get more details or see a root exploit for the US and UK Qualcomm model, but for now this is only for the 8-core flavor. Get all the details and files from XDA linked to below.

[via XDA Developers]

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy S 4

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : NA

Announced Date : March 14, 2013

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 5 Inch
• Resolution : 1080×1920
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.37 Inch
• Width : 2.748 Inch
• Depth : 0.31 Inch
• Weight : 130 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 2600 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

Android OS:
• 4.2.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• 3GP
• MPEG-4 (MP4)
• WMV

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS
• IM

Hardware

CPU : Exynos 5410

CPU Clock Speed : 1600 Mhz

Core : 8

Ram : 2000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 13 MP

External Storage:
• MicroSD
• MicroSDHC

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording
• 720p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• GSM

GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n
• 802.11ac

Bluetooth:
• A2DP
• Bluetooth 4.0

Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

NFC :

HTC Sense 5 was debuted in the Taiwanese company’s latest flagship device, the HTC One, and brings a much updated UI. While HTC hinted at a few phones receiving Sense 5, the Droid DNA was left out. Since it’s a fairly new device, the upgrade will happen at some point, but if you can’t wait, a developer by the username newtoroot has you covered. Porting Sense 5 to the Droid DNA has begun and a ROM is available. Everything is working except MMS and Zoe which is HTC’s new feature that allows you to snap still images and record HD video simultaneously.

Keep in mind the Sense 5 ROM is in beta so don’t expect it work amazingly well. As a disclaimer, we here at Talk Android are not responsible for anything that happens to your phone. You can check out the video below which shows the ROM in action:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: XDA-Developers

Come comment on this article: HTC Sense 5 ROM Hits The Droid DNA

Last week reports surfaced from Verizon’s official Twitter account that an update for the Galaxy Nexus was in the works and coming soon. Like many of you, we were extremely skeptical considering the device is four updates behind the rest of the Nexus family. Today though, it looks to be real as the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus has apparently begun rolling out to beta testers.

We were wondering when the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon would get Android 4.2, and if so, would it even be the latest. Now though, Droid-Life has received confirmation that not only is the update real and coming soon but users will be updated to the absolute latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. That isn’t all either because there’s also a brand new radio on board. Hopefully we’ll be getting some better 4G LTE post update.

Verizon’s Twitter account said the update was “coming soon” and I was certainly not about to hold my breathe considering how long it’s been since we’ve received an update. If this ends up accurate, and Verizon can actually get it out in a timely manor and not dilly daddle, we’ll be enjoying the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean soon enough.

The image above comes from XDA member El Madhatter, who has been the source for early Verizon Gnex updates in the past, so this is looking pretty good for you Verizon users right about now. He reports the new radios seem to be working quite well but we’ll have to wait until this arrives for more users. All you Verizon users get ready for Photosphere features, lockscreen widgets, and everything else that Android 4.2 has to offer. If the testing phase goes well we could be seeing this roll out in the next few days. We’ll report back when we hear more or get a zip you can flash yourself.

[via XDA Developers]

One of the main reasons people choose to go with Android is because of the customization of the OS. With features like custom app launchers and widgets, Android is widely regarded as the favorable OS for anyone looking to make their smartphone or tablet exactly the way they want to. Due to the open-source nature of Android, many users look to do what is known as “rooting”. “Rooting” is essentially getting to the bare system of the device and unlocking the potential of your smartphone or tablet by use of super-user permissions.

Depending on your phone, carrier and manufacturer, the process of rooting your phone could be either extremely easy or extremely tiresome. Luckily there are developers who’s mission is to create a seamless and user-friendly ways of rooting devices and bringing custom ROMs, or custom user interfaces to your device. 

XDA member alephzain recently posted an app called Frameroot that will easily root several devices with one click. It will install Superuser and SU binary on phones that have an Exynos 4 and some phones with OMAP processors. Obviously Exynos 4 devices are Samsung devices. As to the OMAP devices, only the ARCHOS 101 Gen 8 has been tested, but if you have a phone with an OMAP, you can certainly give it a shot.

All that is required is installing the APK (Android Package) on your device, running the app and there you have it, you’re rooted. The following devices are listed as compatible with Framaroot:

• Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch – SPH-D710
• Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100
• Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300
• Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE GT-I9305
• Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE GT-N7105
• AT&T Galaxy Note 2 SGH-I317
• Verizon Galaxy Note 2 SCH-I605
• Samsung Galaxy Camera EK-GC100
• Samsung Galaxy Tab Plus GT-P6210
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 GT-N8000, GT-N8010, GT-N8013, GT-N8020
• Archos 101 Gen8

If your device is listed, grab the APK here and/or hit the source link for more information. Welcome to the world of rooting!

Source: XDA-Developers

Come comment on this article: Framaroot brings one-click root to several Samsung and some OMAP-based devices

Owners of some Android devices, in particular the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Nexus, may have noticed a bug that causes their device to have trouble transitioning between different WiFi access points when access points overlap. XDA Forum member felixchris has put together a hack that addresses one of three possible ways the bug manifests itself. According to felixchris, the three ways that users may experience the bug include:

• Bug version 1: when connected to an access point (e.g. SSID_A), as you move to the area covered by a second access point (e.g. SSID_B), the phone never releases from the first point even though the signal gets very weak and the higher strength SSID_B is available. This particular version of the budget can be verified by turning off WiFi, then turning it back on again, at which point the device should associate with the second access point.

• Bug version 2: very similar to version 1, but even after restarting WiFi, the phone still insists on connecting to the first access point, SSID_A.

• Bug version 3: when connected to the first access point, SSID_A, as you move to the second access point, the signal strength seems to increase as the device searches for a stronger access point, but then drops the connection and after a short hiatus, re-establishes the connection. The easiest way to observe this is by the disappearance of the WiFi icon and an interruption in the connection.

Bug version 3 is the one for which felixchris has created a workaround. The fix is confirmed to work on Samsung Galaxy i9300 models and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus i9250. A couple different versions of the mod have been developed, one that requires a custom recovery and one that does not. However, both solutions require root access to the device.

If you are having trouble with your WiFi connection when moving between overlapping access points and you have one of the specified devices, you may want to give the fix a try by visiting the source link below. Just be sure to read the warnings and cautions related to rooting your device or flashing files.

source: XDA Forum WiFi Roaming Fix

Hmm. That certainly didn’t take very long now did it? For all those owners of Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Note II we have some good news in the form of an unlocked bootloader. In their usual fashion, the folks from XDA Developers have came up with a little solution to our Verizon problems. Read on for more details and the quick video for your viewing pleasure.

Verizon‘s Samsung Galaxy Note II has been cracked open, literally, and now the giant phone can be hacked, tweaked, and more. Hopefully some awesome custom ROM’s in the form of my personal favorites arrive soon. Those being CM10 and AOKP. There’s still plenty of work that needs to be done but this is the first step.

The method isn’t as easy as we’d hoped for, but it’s available now step-by-step for those worried. As usual, this is something you’ll surely want to do with caution and proceed at your own risk. If you’ve been patiently waiting for the bootloader to be unlocked however, we have a feeling you already know your way around ADB and a few other tricks for enjoying custom ROMs.

So, if you’re comfortable with the fact that something could potentially go wrong but would love to hack into that shiny new 5.5-inch phablet from Verizon, go right ahead. Download the files from XDA, jump through a few hoops, and you’ll be good in no time. Once you’ve completed all of this and flash a custom ROM that’s bloatware free, your next step will be paint thinner to remove that logo front and center. Have fun folks!

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Note II

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : NA

Announced Date : August 29, 2012

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As : GT-N7100

Display

• Screen Size : 5.5 Inch
• Resolution : 1280×720
• Screen Type : HD Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.95 Inch
• Width : 3.17 Inch
• Depth : 0.37 Inch
• Weight : 180 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 3100 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

Android OS:
• 4.1.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• 3GP
• MPEG-4 (MP4)
• WMV

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS
• IM

Hardware

CPU : Exynos 4412

CPU Clock Speed : 1600 Mhz

Core : 4

Ram : 2000 MB

Internal Storage : 16 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 8 MP

External Storage:
• MicroSD
• MicroSDHC

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• GSM

GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Bluetooth:
• A2DP
• Bluetooth 4.0

Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

NFC :

[via XDA]

[Adam Outler] and friends have been hard at work unlocking the bootloader of some Verizon Android devices. His most recent adventure involves unlocking the Verizon branded Samsung Galaxy Note II.

You can’t run Cyanogenmod on a device that has a locked bootloader. This is presumably why it took no time at all for the XDA forum users with Verizon phones to raise enough money to put one of these puppies in [Adam's] hands. He walks through the process he used to find the exploit in the video after the break. We’re not experts on the process, but apparently the .pit file used when flashing Odin is the entry point for the exploit. A bit of code has been injected into it which provides an opening to flash a replacement bootloader.

We mentioned the Galaxy S3 in the title. Apparently that has been unlocked as well but with one big hang-up. An over-the-air update could possibly brick the S3. To avoid this issue with the Galaxy Note II the original bootloader is patched and reflashed as part of the exploit.

Filed under: android hacks

Sony has been pretty determined in advertising the Xperia T as a James Bond phone, and I’d say they’ve succeeded. Xperia T owners can take it a step further now with a complete 007 theme pack, thanks to XDA forum member ruwsoft. The theme pack includes ringtones, images, and all kinds of small changes to really get that James Bond feel.

It’s a simple installation, but the phone must be rooted. Aside from that, it’s a painless installation; download file, unzip file, drop the .apk in the phone’s system/vendor/overlay/framework/ folder, and reboot. Quick and simple. Hit the source for download links and the post on XDA.

So who’s planning on flashing this and running around in a tuxedo for the rest of the night?

source: XDA